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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
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The Mouse Round-window Approach for Ototoxic Agent Delivery: A Rapid and Reliable Technique for Inducing Cochlear Cell Degeneration
Published on: November 26, 2015
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Trimethyltin-induced cochlear degeneration in rat.
Jintao Yu1,2,3, Dalian Ding2,3, Hong Sun3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Journal of Otology
|June 26, 2018
Summary
Trimethyltin (TMT) causes temporary hearing loss and auditory nerve damage at lower doses. Higher TMT doses induce permanent hearing loss and spiral ganglion neuron death, particularly in the cochlea's high-frequency region.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Trimethyltin (TMT) is a neurotoxin affecting the central and peripheral auditory systems.
- The mechanisms of TMT-induced ototoxicity remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of TMT on the cochlea.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of TMT-induced ototoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Adult rats received single intraperitoneal injections of 4 or 8 mg/kg TMT.
- Compound action potential (CAP) thresholds assessed cochlear function.
- Histological techniques evaluated hair cells and auditory nerve fibers.
Main Results:
- 4 mg/kg TMT caused temporary CAP threshold elevation and auditory nerve fiber loss.
- 8 mg/kg TMT induced permanent, high-frequency hearing loss.
- 8 mg/kg TMT resulted in hair cell loss, auditory nerve fiber loss, and spiral ganglion neuron apoptosis in the basal cochlea.
Conclusions:
- TMT is ototoxic, causing dose-dependent damage to the cochlea.
- Auditory nerve fibers beneath inner hair cells are particularly vulnerable.
- Spiral ganglion neuron loss, via apoptosis, contributes to TMT-induced hearing impairment.
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